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I'm obsessed with Barcelona, Spain. Or perhaps, more specifically, I'm obsessed with its food! I've been twice in the past 3 years (and have another trip planned in April!), and aftereach 9-hour flight, my very first stop is La Boqueria.
At this point, it's become a tradition, which my foodie-loving daughter happily shares with me. Why La Boqueria? Simply because the markethas themost amazing variety of fresh food offerings, from fruits and veggies, to meats (don't leave without sampling Jamon Iberico!), seafood and other Spanish delicacies— it's a feast for the senses!
In the interior of themarket, you'll find barswith the most incredibleSpanish tapas. It's these small plates of food that make me want to return to Spain again and again. Noshing on tapas in Spain is the equivalent of enjoyinggelato in Italy — there's nowhere else in the world quite like it!
With that being said, I still like to create some of the flavors of my travels at home, to enjoy with my family whenever we feel like. Tapas are great for dinner, get-togethers or even just as a snack with a glass of wine. Some of my favorite tapas recipes are the most simple, using Olives from Spain.
As an olive lover, there isn't any particular variety that I'd pass up, but there is something special about the flavor of Olives from Spain. Here's somefacts about Olives from Spain.
Most olivesconsumed inthe U.S. areOlives fromSpain.The United States is themain destination of Olives from Spain, importing morethan 155 million lbs., worth more than $205 million.
Olives from Spain are a naturally sugar-free food and contain monounsaturated fats, which can improve cholesterol levels in the blood and reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke.
Spain’s sunny weather, temperate winters and rich, fertile soil are idyllic for growing the perfect olive. The olives are carefully hand-picked one by one to avoid damaging the fruit. The main olive growing regions in Spain are Andalusia and Extremadura.
Sweet, salty, bitter and sour, Olives from Spain are extremelyversatile in cooking pizzas, salads, pastas, rice, meat, fish,co*cktails and stews.
And did you know that green and black olives are the same variety, the only difference it their color at the point that they are harvested?
Green olives are harvested at their optimum ripening period for a smoked flavor. Semi-ripe olives have an attractive pinkish, wine-colored hue. Ripe olives are harvested just before or when they are completely ripe.
Ripe Black olives are harvested before they ripen, and are specially treated for their color and to eliminate bitterness. Once fully processed, the Ripe Black olive is both mild and subdued and has a light, versatile flavor
Here's two, super easy, two-minute tapas recipes made with Olives from Spain: Black Olive Tapenade & Green Olive Hummus.
Black Olive Tapenade Recipe
Black Olive Tapenade Ingredients:
1 cup of Black olives from Spain
1 tablespoon capers
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 teaspoon garlic, minced
1 teaspoon lemon juice
How to Make Black Olive Tapenade
Add all ingredients in a food processor or blender, pulsing until olives are chopped and ingredients are combined. This is for a chunky consistency. You could also puree until smooth.
Green Olive Hummus Recipe
Green Olive Hummus Ingredients:
One 15-ounce can garbanzo beans
¼ cup tahini
Juice of ½ lemon
1 tablespoongarlic, minced
8green Olives from Spain
2 tablespoons olive oil
½ teaspoon ground cumin
½ teaspoon kosher salt, or to taste
How to Make Green Olive Hummus
Add all ingredients in a food processor or blender and puree until smooth. Drizzle with additional olive oil if desired.
About Olives from Spain
Spain has such a rich history that is linked to olives – with trees for table olives growing in the country since the 1st century. There is a wide range of varieties, types and forms of presentation. Spain is the leader in table olive production and exports, with the most modern industry in the world leading to the highest food safety and quality standards.
Olives from Spain are more versatile than olives from any other region – get creative, and find out why they can add life to any party.Be sure to look for the Olives From Spain logo, to ensure you are getting the highest quality olives and taste the difference for yourself.
Compensation was provided by Olives from Spain via MomTrends. The opinions expressed herein are those of the author and are not indicative of the opinions of Olives from Spain or Momtrends.
What Are Castelvetrano Olives? The Castelvetrano olive, also known as Nocellara del Belice, is an olive varietal from the Valle del Belice region of Sicily. Famous for their mild, buttery flavor, crisp bite and meaty texture, Castelvetrano olives are popular with both hardcore olive lovers and olive-eating newbies.
Manzanillas are the most popular Spanish olives, and these are the highest quality available. Handpicked in Andalusia, pitted, and packed in an artisanal quality brine, the olives are naturally fermented and cured Sevillian style. The name manzanilla, meaning “l*ttle apple” in Spanish, comes from the olives shape.
We love pairing Spanish olives with savory clothbound cheddar to boost out its umami notes. Mild, fresh cheeses like chevre and fromage blanc go well with olives marinated with citrus or herbs, while the saltiness of olives emphasizes the sweetness of a long-aged Gouda.
We usually serve them as a snack for a drink or on top of salads, but olives shouldn't be eaten just for the taste. Did you know that experts recommend eating a small handful of olives a day? Eating just 7 olives each day is really good for you!
It is an enabler in the best, tastiest, most snack-able way. And now, the Castelvetrano is a staple in my apartment. I'll throw a bunch of them in a bowl for parties. Warm some in olive oil and serve them with feta and bread for a more refined appetizer.
Kalamata olives may reduce your risks of heart disease. This is due to the presence of hydroxytyrosol in olives. Hydroxytyrosol is an antioxidant that has been shown to decrease LDL (bad) cholesterol and increase HDL (good) cholesterol levels.
Olives provide many health benefits, but they are still relatively high in fat. Canned olives are often packed in brine, which makes them high in sodium (salt). Just one green olive contains 62.4 milligrams of sodium, so salt content can add up quickly.
"Sweet" (i.e., neither sour nor savory) pimiento peppers are the familiar red stuffing found in prepared Spanish or Greek green olives. Originally, the pimiento was hand-cut into tiny pieces, then hand-stuffed into each olive to balance out the olive's otherwise strong, salty flavor.
This plump, green olive is known for its large size and pimento filling. Like the Spanish Manzanilla, the Queen is a common olive that hails from the region of Sevilla. A classic martini olive, this straw-green gem owns a semi-firm, meaty texture with a burst of briny flavor and notes of almond.
Additionally, you may use the thumb and forefinger method of putting the olive into the mouth, but upon exit, most Spaniards will make a fist and spit the pit directly from the mouth into the little hole created between the curve of your thumb and forefinger.
Carrots and almonds both go well with olives. You could enjoy them in an olive salad, or roast them together. Eggs and olives go brilliantly too. Stir chopped olives through scrambled eggs, add to shakshuka, or make an egg, tomato and olive salad.
Compared to butter and margarine, olive oil spreads contain less saturated fat and more monounsaturated fat, which is known to help lower cholesterol levels and improve heart health. In addition, they are a rich source of antioxidants, which can protect against inflammation and oxidative damage.
Trader Joe's tapenade is made in the heart of Greek olive growing country and is a delicious blend of Kalamata & Chalkidiki olives. Chalkidiki olives are unique.
Find a large platter, then arrange the various olives and pickled and fresh vegetables on the tray. You will want to place marinated items in bowls or little mason jars to contain the liquid so that everything does not run together. Add some fresh herbs for garnish.
Your craving is probably salt based, but at least it isn't without redeeming qualities: Olives are nutritious, providing a concentrated dose of healthful monounsaturated fat, along with a decent amount of fiber, calcium, magnesium, potassium, vitamin E, and antioxidants.
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